(A) Schematic representation of the eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Morinda citrifolia leaf extract; (B) Schematic diagram of CuO NPs from Morinda citrifolia leaf extract. Credit: Scientific reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46002-5
Researchers have described a green method to obtain copper oxide nanoparticles from the noni plant (Morinda citrifolia), common in Asia. These copper oxide nanoparticles exhibit bactericidal properties. In addition, antibacterial activity depends on the physical properties of the particles: size, structure and concentration of copper oxide.
Biochemists are studying different ways to obtain such particles. Chemical and physical methods are known, but they require toxic materials. Therefore, the modern approach is to use biological methods, that is, to obtain nanoparticles from plants, bacteria or fungi.
A biotechnologist from RUDN University and his colleagues from India, Korea and Saudi Arabia have discovered a green method for producing copper oxide nanoparticles, and their findings are published in the journal Scientific reports.
“Copper oxide nanoparticles are of interest in many scientific fields. Biosynthetic nanoparticles are produced by biological processes from bacteria, fungi or plant extracts. The importance of these nanoparticles lies in their potential for sustainable, efficient and biocompatible solutions in health care and environmental protection, as well as in materials science and energy,” said Alexandre Vetcher, Ph.D., deputy director of the Nanotechnology Center of RUDN University.
Noni grows in the South Pacific region. It is a tall plant with edible fruits. Biologists took an extract of noni leaves and mixed it with an aqueous solution of copper sulfate. A catalyst, sodium hydroxide, was also used. The role of noni extract in this process is the stabilization of the nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles were tested for activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi. The antimicrobial effect was compared to that of chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
The result was stable spherical copper oxide nanoparticles ranging in size from 20 to 50 nanometers. They were active against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and three types of fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium frequentans). Particles obtained from solutions in which the concentration of noni extract was 25 microliters showed better results, comparable to those of chloramphenicol.
“The resulting copper oxide nanoparticles can be used in biomedicine, in the production of fuel cells, batteries and in food storage. However, further research is needed to minimize toxicity while maintaining their effectiveness biological. This will contribute to the biomedical use of particles.” noted Dr. Vetcher.
More information:
Manogar Priya et al, Green synthesis, characterization, antibacterial and antifungal activity of copper oxide nanoparticles derived from Morinda citrifolia leaf extract, Scientific reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46002-5
Provided by RUDN University
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